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Whether we like it or not, we live in a consumerist world. Walk into any shop and you will see aisles of products packaged in single use plastics, as well as many disposable or ‘short-life’ goods. We are constantly being encouraged to buy more than we really need. Our homes are filled with many items that end their days in land-fill (here or abroad), incinerators or in our rivers and oceans
Here in the South Hams there are a number of projects run through our community groups and companies whose volunteers clean up some of this waste, run re-use and recycling projects and also encourage residents and visitors to consider alternatives when purchasing products.
Hopefully some of the projects on this website may provide ideas and inspiration. Many established groups will be more than happy to talk with you about setting up your own project and may be able to share resources to make it easier. Why write a Risk Assessment from scratch when you can probably modify one that is already written?
If you have a project that fits into this category but isn’t listed here please ‘add a project’ so that we can share the good work you are doing.
Get in touch with Ben Bryant, our Saving Earth Resources Mentor, for any further information or advice on ben@sussh.org
News
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Repair Cafes in South Hams
Repair cafes offer a refreshing and sustainable alternative to consumer culture by fostering a community spirit and promoting environmental responsibility.
June 10, 2024
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Compost Life and Worm Farming
The addition of compost builds a healthy soil and so boosts the microbial activity, which provides food for hundreds of thousands of different species of fungi, bacteria and other organisms; these microorganisms are also food for a whole range of other organisms, which in turn are fed off by predators.
March 29, 2024
From Bonfires to Biochar
Composting is one of the few really positive things nearly all of us can do to positively benefit our environment and even play a small part in sequestering carbon. Even keen gardeners can find it a challenge to deal with especially woody material. All too often this kind of material is simply burnt on a bonfire. However, the high water content generally in bonfires produces masses of choking smoke and particulates extremely harmful to health. A bonfire could produce up to 30 times more particle pollution than a wood burning stove.
March 21, 2024
Resources
Groups
Sustainable Kingswear
Focusing on immediate and longer term infrastructure changes, including encouraging electric vehicle use, a community energy scheme, and addressing light pollution. Also working on community schemes, such as encouraging households and landowners to support wildlife, community composting and a Library of Things.
5-20
Volunteers
Parish Council working group
Project Cost
Sustainable Harbourne Valley
Supporting nature-friendly gardens and households; talks/discussion programme; supporting management of churchyards & playing fields for nature; Fruit Corner (community fruit trees/wildflowers); micro tree nursery; seed/plant exchange stall; Sow Grow Show food growing project; Give & Take reuse & exchange day; engagement with local school; supporting river monitoring.
5-20
Volunteers
Community Association
Project Cost
Transition Town Totnes
Transition Streets - a community-focussed initiative supporting social cohesion, carbon reduction, and energy saving; Incredible Edible Totnes - supporting local and accessible food growing in public spaces; Totnes Climate Hub - a public space for creating community support and local responses to our global challenges; REconomy Project - a project inspiring economic regeneration locally; Time to Breathe - a meditative space for personal wellbeing support
20-100
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost
Projects
Create Climate & Nature Lending Library
ReUsing the Big Red Telephone Box as lending library for climate & nature books
<5
Volunteers
Free
Project Cost
Connect Communities to Take Practical Carbon Saving Action
Transition Streets is an award-winning project that brings neighbours together
Volunteers
Project Cost
Tackle Food Waste with a Community Fridge
South Brent Community Fridge prevents food waste & helps with cost of living
5-20
Volunteers
<£5k
Project Cost
